Death of female prison inmate ruled suicide at York Correctional Institution

Published August 22. 2014 10:02AM | Updated August 23. 2014 12:11AM

East Lyme – The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Friday that the death of an inmate at York Correctional Institution was a suicide by hanging.

The state Department of Correction said Friday that 40-year old Sherri Clarke of New Britain was discovered during routine tours at 10:42 a.m. Thursday with a ligature tied to her neck. She was alone in her cell at the time.

Correctional and medical staff began emergency and life-saving measures on Clarke immediately after finding her, according to the Department of Correction. She was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:33 a.m., according to the report.

Clarke was serving 25 years for felony murder. She entered the York Correctional Institution on Sept. 18, 2009, the Department of Correction said.

The Department of Correction Security Division and the Connecticut State Police are investigating the incident.